Enlarged pores treated with a combination of Q-switched and micropulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with and without topical carbon suspension: A simultaneous split-face trial.

Abstract

Background and aims: Enlarged facial pores remain one of the major cosmetic concerns among Asian females. This study attempted to assess and compare the efficacy of a combination of the Q-switched and quasi long-pulsed (micropulsed) Nd:YAG laser to reduce the size of the enlarged pores with and without an exogenous photoenhancer. Methods: In twenty five female subjects mean age 34.04 yr and skin type II-IV, a carbon lotion as a photoenhancer was applied on one side of the face (Method 1) and the other side was used as the control (Method 2). The entire face was then treated with a single pass of the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in the micropulsed mode, pulse fluence and width of 2.3 J/cm(2) and 300 µsec, respectively. Multiple passes were then delivered in the Q-switched mode (2.5 J/cm(2) and 5 nsec). Results: Three weeks after the final treatment, 75% of the subjects showed improvement with method 1 whereas 67% showed improvement with method 2. No adverse side effects were reported with either method. Conclusions: Although histological confirmation was not performed, we were able to prove both subjectively and objectively that the use of the combination of the micropulsed and Q-switched modes of the Nd:YAG laser was useful in reducing pore size, and that the photoenhancer improved the efficacy.